WEBVTT
REPORTER: AS THE ALARMING NUMBER
OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS CONTINUE
TO CLIMB IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
>> IN WE HAD A 147 OVERDOSE
2015, CASES.
THROUGH JULY OF 2016, WE'VE
ALREADY HAD 92 OVERDOSES.
REPORTER: SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES ARE
NOW UNDERGOING EDUCATION AND
TRAINING, TO COMBAT THE GROWING
EPIDEMIC.
FIRST, HOW TO RECOGNIZE WHEN
SOMEONE IS EXPERIENCING A HEROIN
OR FENTANYL OVERDOSE, AND
SECONDLY, HOW TO ADMINISTER THE
LIFE-SAVING EMERGENCY TREATMENT,
NALOXONE AND NARCAN.
>> IN SOME CASES FIRST
RESPONDERS ARRIVE ON THE SCENE
WHILE THE INDIVIDUAL IS IN
DISTRESS.
WE'VE ALL SEEN IT.
WE SEE IT EVERY DAY IN WHAT WE
DO.
BUT THAT MOMENT, WITHOUT SOME
TREATMENT, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL
SUCCUMB TO THE OVERDOSE.
>> NARCAN REVERSES THE EFFECTS
OF OPIATES, AND SO THE GREAT
THING ABOUT ADMINISTERING THIS
MEDICATION IS YOU CAN DO NO
HARM.
SAY IF A WELL-INTENTIONED FIRST
RESPONDER GIVES SOMEBODY NARCAN
AND THEY'RE NOT OVERDOSING FROM
AN OPIOID OVERDOSE, YOU'RE NOT
DOING ANY DAMAGE TO THEM.
REPORTER: SHERIFF'S FIRST
RESPONDERS AND JAIL PERSONNEL
WILL ADMINISTER THE DRUG IN THE
FORM OF A NASAL SPRAY.
AND NORMAND BELIEVES IT COULD
SAVE THE LIVES OF MANY ADDICTS
AS WELL AS HIS OWN DEPUTIES.
>> YOUR LIFE MAY DEPEND ON IT.
IT'S NOT JUST THE INDIVIDUAL
THAT SUFFERS FROM THE ADDICTION
THATS LAYING ON THE GROUND, IT'S
YOUR LIFE AS WELL.
THAT MAY BE HELD IN THE BALLADS

As law enforcement officials across the country work to combat the growing number of opioid overdoses, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Officials are implementing a new rescue tool that could help save lives.

As law enforcement officials across the country work to combat the growing number of opioid overdoses, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Officials are implementing a new rescue tool that could help save lives.

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As the alarming number of opioid overdose deaths continue to climb in Jefferson Parish, deputies are now undergoing education and training to combat the growing epidemic. Officers will learn how to recognize when someone is experiencing a heroin or fentanyl overdose and how to administer the lifesaving emergency treatment, Naloxone and Narcan.

"In Jefferson Parish in 2015, we had a 147 overdose cases. Through July of 2016, we’ve already had 92 overdoses cases," Normand said.

"In some cases first responders arrive on the scene while the individual is in distress. We’ve all seen it. We see it every day in what we do. But that moment, without some treatment, the individual will succumb to the overdose," Normand continued.

Jefferson Parish Coroner Dr. Gerald Cvitanovich said the number of overdose deaths has nearly tripled over the last few decades. He believes Narcan and Naloxone could be an effective solution.

"Narcan reverses the effects of opiates, and so the great thing about administering this medication is you can do no harm. So lets say if a well-intentioned first responder gives somebody Narcan, and they’re not overdosing from an opioid overdose, you’re not doing any damage to them," Cvitanovich said.

Sheriff’s first responders including district patrol officers, street crimes, narcotics officers, investigations detectives, traffic officers and jail personnel will be able to administer the drug in the form of a nasal spray.

Normand believes it could save the lives of many addicts, as well as his own deputies.

"Your life may depend on it. It’s not just the individual that suffers from the addiction that’s laying on the ground, it’s your life as well that may be held in the balance because of a substance that you may come in contact with," Normand said.

Normand said a $10,000 federal grant will provide the first batch of Naloxone and Narcan, but since the treatment has a shelf-life, the department will have to find future funding to continue providing the rescue drug.

Normand expects officers to begin using this in the field before the start of 2017.